Mark chapter 5 verses 22-24 (NIV)
Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him.
Mark Chapter 5 verses 35-36 (NIV)
While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
This particular synagogue leader, unlike many of the religious leaders of the day, was setting the right example for his congregation. He had a need which he believed Jesus could meet. He went to find Him, and in spite of his own status and standing in the community, he recognised Jesus’ authority and threw himself at Jesus’ feet, bringing his need to Jesus. He put his daughter’s need first and he trusted that Jesus could meet it. There was a large crowd gathered. They wouldn’t have expected their synagogue leader to humble himself in this way, but they saw Jesus’ response. He agreed to go with him.
And then, after witnessing a great miracle for someone else, the synagogue leader gets the worst news. But he’s in the right place. Jesus is at his side and speaks words of comfort and reassurance, no matter how things appeared to everyone else. In the midst of the noise and celebrations for the miracle that had just happened, I’m sure the praise synagogue leader didn’t feel like celebrating, but Jesus spoke to his heart. The synagogue leader’s trust is vindicated when his daughter is raised to life. That testimony in itself is miraculous, but so too is the witness given by the actions and response of the synagogue leader. He showed that when we have a need, we too can come humbly before Jesus. That in the darkest of times, when we are in despair, the best place we can be is as close to Jesus as possible. No matter what anyone else says, we can trust and hold onto the words of comfort and reassurance that Jesus has for us, and if we do so, we will see His purposes for us worked out in our lives.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the example set by the synagogue leader, and the impact that would have had on those who knew him. Help me to remember that the way I respond in difficult situations can have an impact on others too, and to remember that the best place to be is close to Jesus. I ask in His Name. Amen.